Abstract: Deflectable catheter systems, apparatuses and methods utilizing thermal expansion to influence catheter deflection. A representative embodiment includes a catheter having one or more pull wires or other tensioning elements. One end of the tensioning element(s) is connected at a distal portion of the catheter to facilitate shaft deflection upon pulling the tensioning element(s). A heat-sensitive control member(s) is coupled to a proximal portion of the tensioning element(s). The elongate tensioning element(s) is pulled in a proximal direction to deflect the distal portion of the catheter in response to a temperature change applied to the heat-sensitive control member.

Abstract: Deflectable catheter systems, apparatuses and methods utilizing thermal expansion to influence catheter deflection. A representative embodiment includes a catheter having one or more pull wires or other tensioning elements. One end of the tensioning element(s) is connected at a distal portion of the catheter to facilitate shaft deflection upon pulling the tensioning element(s). A heat-sensitive control member(s) is coupled to a proximal portion of the tensioning element(s). The elongate tensioning element(s) is pulled in a proximal direction to deflect the distal portion of the catheter in response to a temperature change applied to the heat- sensitive control member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various deflectable catheter systems that utilize materials having negative coefficients of thermal expansion to cause the catheter to deflect. A representative embodiment of the present invention includes a catheter having a heat-sensitive control member located outside the distal end of the catheter, but which is in mechanical communication with the distal end of the catheter such that heat may be applied to the control member to cause the distal portion to deflect. The applied heat, however, does not introduce any significant heat into the distal end of the catheter. The system may also include a processor to estimate an amount by which the catheter has been deflected based in part on temperature information of the control member, or even resistance measurements for the control member. The system may also include calibration systems and methods.